Where did you learn to shoot

[Jack V]

Never spoke to either of them ever again after that. I lost two 200,000 acre properties side by side in Qld.

Sounds like the pair of them were in top form for f***ing it up

Amen to that. The problem was that they seemed ok at work but went stupid in the bush .

[headwerkn]

Any one who fires a centerfire or a rimfire without hearing protection is an idiot.

Agreed - audio engineering is a hobby/passion of mine and as such I tend to be pretty paranoid about my hearing. Unfortunately the bloke is a farmer and like many, isn't great when it comes to OH&S. I spent half a day woodcutting with him once, no 'muffs or anything while using the chainsaw. Crazy, sort of thing I wouldn't dream of doing.

I work in a fabrication shop these days and basically have either earplugs or earmuffs on from 7:30 to 4:30. All the young blokes do the same, which is good to see.

[Jack V]

Wanted you to provide the property too again I guess

The discussion never got to who would supply the property but you would be right for sure.

It really hurts when you do the right thing by people and trust them and then they sh*t on the property owners and ruin the trust you have worked hard to build-up. It is the only time in my life that I was not welcome to come back to a property and gee it hurt real bad. Try as I may to convince the owner I had nothing to do with anything they may have done and that they conned me real good , he was unmoved. I can't blame him. Just goes to show you can know someone in a work situation for many years and think they are good blokes but put them in a different situation and they can be totally different.

The really sad part is since then a few people have wanted to go away but I was afraid to take anyone again and may have missed out on a good friendship.

I was probably dumb also for taking unknown quantities to my best property. I should have tested them out some place else first.

[Supporter]

It is the only time in my life that I was not welcome to come back to a property and gee it hurt real bad.

Yeah that's gotta hurt

[Mark.A]

But are there any actual courses out there where you can go along and have good skills slapped into you.. and before you say join the army/reserves/air force/navy/salvation army/boy scouts of america or peru... Its an honest question... I am curious, I am the only shooter in my family (When I say that the one actually interested in learning to shoot, as apposed to my dad and brother who hold licenses and make stuff up as they go along)

Just a question...

[jackles]

Just a question...

Relax, no one is going to bite your head off for asking

[Gregg]

But are there any actual courses out there where you can go along and have good skills slapped into you.

Not to the best of my knowledge.

I've been at this game for a while and I've never come across anything here along the lines of a 'shooting school' or classes to attend for the dedicated purpose of learning to shoot.

Tips from guys at the range or in the forum community like this are about it AFAIK.

[horter]

Tips from guys at the range or in the forum community like this are about it AFAIK.

Just gotta get right who's advice you listen too

[Mark.A]

Thats the truth in the matter isnt it, I suspect there isnt any real training, as no one wants to be held responsible.. I guess its one of those things, that you listen learn, hopefully find some people that know more than you and are kindred spirits, and hopefully they will ask you along so you can observe...

Funny old world isnt it.. ( I am used to most forums where if you ask a question, thats a little open ended, you just get flamed, or told off, or the trolls comes out for a good baiting session.. never made to much sense to me but hey!)

[cavok]

Thats the truth in the matter isnt it, I suspect there isnt any real training, as no one wants to be held responsible.. I guess its one of those things, that you listen learn, hopefully find some people that know more than you and are kindred spirits, and hopefully they will ask you along so you can observe...

Funny old world isnt it.. ( I am used to most forums where if you ask a question, thats a little open ended, you just get flamed, or told off, or the trolls comes out for a good baiting session.. never made to much sense to me but hey!)

Actually looking at your collection of rifles at the end of your post there are many aspects of shooting this covers, possibly hunting as well which is another chapter in itself. Someone teaching you does not reflect in another being responsible. You as the student learns from those that have skills. Also looking at your collection of firearms that takes a while to accumulate, so you obviously have shot a few rounds and then some?
So, specifically what type of shooting are you wishing to learn about, long range, using what rifle. What in your shooting ability are you wishing to improve?

[Chronos]

Thats the truth in the matter isnt it, I suspect there isnt any real training, as no one wants to be held responsible.. I guess its one of those things, that you listen learn, hopefully find some people that know more than you and are kindred spirits, and hopefully they will ask you along so you can observe...

Funny old world isnt it.. ( I am used to most forums where if you ask a question, thats a little open ended, you just get flamed, or told off, or the trolls comes out for a good baiting session.. never made to much sense to me but hey!)

The first training a new shouter should be getting cones from your safe handling instructor, perhaps too many are simply ticking boxes and are not interested in actually training new shooters.

I was fortunate enough to learn to shoot as I said above in a club environment. Every Saturday I would go along and shoot. Of purse between joining the club and getting my licence I was supervised 1 on 1 by experienced club members. All of whom were A grade or master grade service rifle shooters and or Fullbore shooters, many with huge amounts of hunting experience too.

Apart from the obvious safety stuff there is so much to learn and being surrounded by HELPFUL people who can offer advice or share their experience and that is worth more than all the vids on YouTube and all the anonymous advice on shouting forums.

Chronos

[RoginaJack]

I first learned to shoot was with a weapon, yep, a weapon, a shanghai & made it from a fork from a Privet tree, old inner bike tube and the tongue from Dads' old work boots. The only things allowed was Sparrows and Starlings. This was in Cootamundra when I was a wee lad.
After a few years we were sent to Moree and got a Dianna .177 air gun. Thought that was the cats whiskers! Feral pigeons were added to the list. My oldest brother can to live with us and come the weekends we went chasing pigs with a dog. main subject was a sow with little - skits the dog onto the sow and after the piglets on foot. We had a tube fed self loading .22, with no extractor and being left handed, it was my job to look after the sow as I could use a screwdriver the extract the fired case with my right hand, cock and reload and fire with my left. Do not try this at home!
After that we all transferred to Grafton and I was in high school then and joined the local cadet unit. We fired SMLE with very worn .22 barrels at the army reserve depot in Bacon (?) St. The W.O. in charge taught us the basics and safety drills and then it was up to us. One Wednesday the ammo allocation didn't arrive so no ammo. I walked around into Prince street to the LGS The Trading Post, owned by Carl Falk and explained the situation, he donated a box and away we went. Carl was a great shooter and passed on a lot of knowledge to me re shooting 303s etc.
I don't think that there is that type of opportunity around now for the new shooters and sadly a lot of the training ranges are closed.

Sad really...

[Old Fart]

Soup cans and many hours killed out back.

[Gregg]

Soup cans and many hours killed out back.

Past time of a generation.

Before the nanny state that is...

[vonfram88]

About 8 years of age with the old man. We kids had "access" to unsecured firearms when we were growing up and no one ever did anything wrong. When we were living in the country I was allowed to take the 10/22 out anytime I wanted as long as I was safe. Heck, even when we moved back to suburbia there were many houses with semi auto rifles in a cupboard or under the bed. We all knew where the guns were but nobody did anything silly. There were no gun crimes or shooting sprees. Now it seems like kids in general cant be trusted to show respect for firearms.

[Patrol66]

Mum and Dad taught me the basics in our back yard shooting soup cans with an air rifle I bought from K-Mart. Then left alone to hunt small pest birds . Good times

[Mark.A]

So, specifically what type of shooting are you wishing to learn about, long range, using what rifle. What in your shooting ability are you wishing to improve?

Ceiling and Visability Okay.. Sorry couldn't help that, in a previous life hobby, I was piloting, But thats another story... Yes I do have some rifles, more than I could ever shoot, but I enjoy taking them out one at time and learning about them. Long Range Shooting (for me, Long range is 50-80m Extreme is 100-150) I hear stories of guys and gals easily taking targets at 400-500m, its a skill that I would like to possess, as I am not the lightest on foot, and the various animals on the family farm, they hear me, and I am pretty sure smell me before I am even in the same post code.. (yes, come on, have a quip) I've retrieved my .17 and .22 from the farm over the weekend, and will spend more time at the range I think, its the only way to improve general shooting, and try to get out more.

Really want to improve bush skills and tracking/stalking, Just frustrating to see months of hard work by my parents, go to waste on the farm, due to the local deer's coming in and snacking on everything, and destroying entire crops.

Mark

[Mark.A]

About 8 years of age with the old man. We kids had "access" to unsecured firearms when we were growing up and no one ever did anything wrong. When we were living in the country I was allowed to take the 10/22 out anytime I wanted as long as I was safe. Heck, even when we moved back to suburbia there were many houses with semi auto rifles in a cupboard or under the bed. We all knew where the guns were but nobody did anything silly. There were no gun crimes or shooting sprees. Now it seems like kids in general cant be trusted to show respect for firearms.

I think its just to show respect.. period...

[jennageit]

First time I ever used a firearm was when I was about 10 or 11, out with my dad shooting bunnies.
His firearm sat me on my bum, so I got the job of carrying the dead bunnies after that.

At 15 I used my friend slug gun and gave the tin cans hell.

Between then, and August this year, I did my safety course, rang a couple of clubs and found one fairly local. I showed up and was given instruction from the word go.
At the range, I was taught how to shoot an old Anschutz. Unfortunately, all I've been taught so far is how to line up the target at 50m, oh and now 20m. I still know nothing about cleaning, and maintaining, and to this day, I've never shot from the shoulder. I've never actually had to hold the rifle whilst firing it due to shooting Benchrest only.
When my back improves, I'll be doing that next.

Other than at the range, it's been impossible to find anyone to tutor me in all things firearms. The range master has limited time to dedicate to me, and I'm thankful for any time he can spare.

Because of this, I want to learn as much as I possibly can so that I can teach my kids properly.

So, that's my story of where I learnt to shoot.

Jenna

PS. On a side note, I was with a guy yesterday who's a hunter and has been around firearms for at least 20 years. At the range yesterday, he scared both myself and the range master by not pointing the rifle in a safe direction. At the range, we always carry our rifles pointing towards the roof. It's a tin roof as opposed to a concrete floor. Twice, over the course of an hour, we had a rifle pointed in our direction!

[cavok]

So, specifically what type of shooting are you wishing to learn about, long range, using what rifle. What in your shooting ability are you wishing to improve?

Ceiling and Visability Okay.. Sorry couldn't help that, in a previous life hobby, I was piloting, But thats another story... Yes I do have some rifles, more than I could ever shoot, but I enjoy taking them out one at time and learning about them. Long Range Shooting (for me, Long range is 50-80m Extreme is 100-150) I hear stories of guys and gals easily taking targets at 400-500m, its a skill that I would like to possess, as I am not the lightest on foot, and the various animals on the family farm, they hear me, and I am pretty sure smell me before I am even in the same post code.. (yes, come on, have a quip) I've retrieved my .17 and .22 from the farm over the weekend, and will spend more time at the range I think, its the only way to improve general shooting, and try to get out more.

Really want to improve bush skills and tracking/stalking, Just frustrating to see months of hard work by my parents, go to waste on the farm, due to the local deer's coming in and snacking on everything, and destroying entire crops.

Mark

When you say "long range is 50-80 metres" are you shooting prone with your .177 and .22. What type of scopes are on the rifles? And approximately how long have you shot the .22 at 80 metres? What are your 5 shot groups like? Ammunition and if someone else shoots your .22 what are their groups like?
As I said in my previous post, hunting and staking is a whole different chapter, same as singles and twins, vfr and nigh vfr.

[cavok]

Jenna

PS. On a side note, I was with a guy yesterday who's a hunter and has been around firearms for at least 20 years. At the range yesterday, he scared both myself and the range master by not pointing the rifle in a safe direction. At the range, we always carry our rifles pointing towards the roof. It's a tin roof as opposed to a concrete floor. Twice, over the course of an hour, we had a rifle pointed in our direction![/quote]


Just because someone is a hunter and has been around firearms for 20 years means little if that is the actual truth he is telling everyone. Also if he pointed a rifle in your direction and the range master, and failed to carry his rifle pointing at the roof instead of the floor, after the first safety breach he should have been expelled from the range and told not to return till he could follow the range safety protocol. Then I would have given him a personal blast for pointing a rifle in my direction. No point in having a range master on a range if he fails to do his job. Be safe.

[Mark.A]

I know this isnt an excuse, But I dont get a lot of spare time to go shooting, and the time I do get, I am not using effectively IMHO. This is very true, Hunting and Stalking are different animals all together, It just comes down to practice, going out and shooting, listening to other people, and using a level head to take in what has been told to you, what should be adhered to, what should be discarded, and what should be followed up with a few others. Its just like any hobby/sport/interest, you will always get a few differing ideas on everything.

The .17 and .22 are currently Shooting rather aweful, I am unsure if it is me, or the rifles, or both, They both have BSA Airrifle scopes on them, as they are just fun guns, the 22WMR was shooting just as strange as the .17 and .22, I disassembled the rifle on the weekend, and dropped the action from the stock, and found that the two bolts that held the rifle action to the stock, where rather loose, this would explain why when shooting it, I could get them to stack one on top of eachother, then the next magazine, it would be out or be impacting in a different area, or shooting all over the shop. Pushing the magazine in, would cause the action to move, and therefor alter the impact point, let alone, change the harmonics, etc etc...

So I am going to drop the trigger guard off the .22 and .17 and just nip everything up, and re zero.. I suspect it may help them along...

But yes, Back to the question at hand, I can comfortable hit items at 50-80m currently. I havent shot prone, its mostly Standing, when at the range its just on a rest normally, which doesnt help, I may pop over to belmont and do some shooting down in the standing area, and see if this helps me along.

The only difference between VFR/IFR/NVFR, is the amount of available lumens, and the fact that you have to talk to someone that tells you what to do all the time.. And Frankly I prefer to look outside while flying, it tells you an aweful lot of what is going on

[Mark.A]

First time I ever used a firearm was when I was about 10 or 11, out with my dad shooting bunnies.
His firearm sat me on my bum, so I got the job of carrying the dead bunnies after that.

At 15 I used my friend slug gun and gave the tin cans hell.

Between then, and August this year, I did my safety course, rang a couple of clubs and found one fairly local. I showed up and was given instruction from the word go.
At the range, I was taught how to shoot an old Anschutz. Unfortunately, all I've been taught so far is how to line up the target at 50m, oh and now 20m. I still know nothing about cleaning, and maintaining, and to this day, I've never shot from the shoulder. I've never actually had to hold the rifle whilst firing it due to shooting Benchrest only.
When my back improves, I'll be doing that next.

Other than at the range, it's been impossible to find anyone to tutor me in all things firearms. The range master has limited time to dedicate to me, and I'm thankful for any time he can spare.

Because of this, I want to learn as much as I possibly can so that I can teach my kids properly.

So, that's my story of where I learnt to shoot.

Jenna

PS. On a side note, I was with a guy yesterday who's a hunter and has been around firearms for at least 20 years. At the range yesterday, he scared both myself and the range master by not pointing the rifle in a safe direction. At the range, we always carry our rifles pointing towards the roof. It's a tin roof as opposed to a concrete floor. Twice, over the course of an hour, we had a rifle pointed in our direction!

Same here, all I know about gun cleaning and maintenance I have gleaned from YouTube, I use bore snakes currently, But I should learn how to use the rods and patches, but all I see is a bore snake does the same thing as a rod, quicker, and easier, and there is less chance of doing damage by hiting the rod against the throat or other sensative areas...

Just my 2c

[cavok]

I know this isnt an excuse, But I dont get a lot of spare time to go shooting, and the time I do get, I am not using effectively IMHO. This is very true, Hunting and Stalking are different animals all together, It just comes down to practice, going out and shooting, listening to other people, and using a level head to take in what has been told to you, what should be adhered to, what should be discarded, and what should be followed up with a few others. Its just like any hobby/sport/interest, you will always get a few differing ideas on everything.

The .17 and .22 are currently Shooting rather aweful, I am unsure if it is me, or the rifles, or both, They both have BSA Airrifle scopes on them, as they are just fun guns, the 22WMR was shooting just as strange as the .17 and .22, I disassembled the rifle on the weekend, and dropped the action from the stock, and found that the two bolts that held the rifle action to the stock, where rather loose, this would explain why when shooting it, I could get them to stack one on top of eachother, then the next magazine, it would be out or be impacting in a different area, or shooting all over the shop. Pushing the magazine in, would cause the action to move, and therefor alter the impact point, let alone, change the harmonics, etc etc...

So I am going to drop the trigger guard off the .22 and .17 and just nip everything up, and re zero.. I suspect it may help them along...

But yes, Back to the question at hand, I can comfortable hit items at 50-80m currently. I havent shot prone, its mostly Standing, when at the range its just on a rest normally, which doesnt help, I may pop over to belmont and do some shooting down in the standing area, and see if this helps me along.

The only difference between VFR/IFR/NVFR, is the amount of available lumens, and the fact that you have to talk to someone that tells you what to do all the time.. And Frankly I prefer to look outside while flying, it tells you an aweful lot of what is going on

I think in my original post, number 1. I speak about teaching the shooter basics, then let them buy their own ammunition and PRACTICE. Lots of practice, prone, standing, kneeling. Many moons ago if the empty cases where not above your ankles you had not practiced enough. Practise often, no use practicing a lot once a year, won't learn a lot from that. Best of luck.
PS, at least in vfr you can see where you are going and where you have been. Night vfr all you see is lights and runway lights as you have turned of your landing lights, in ifr, instrument only, but a lot of fun and precision flying.

[Mark.A]

Very true, Just need to get myself out to the Range and concentrate

[jennageit]

Hubby says that next year when my youngest is at school, he'll drive me down to the range whenever the range master is available. I'm hoping to get in 3 or 4 days of practice, whether that be at the range, or at my mates place. He's got 160 acres and goes there a couple of times a week. I've been told to come hunting with him, and if I want, I can set some targets up on the trees down the back of the block to sight in which will be some practice.

Talking to my mate, and as much as I love the guys at the range, I think I'll get him to teach my kids about firearms and safety. He's also offered to teach me how to clean a firearm properly, and offered to let me use a couple of his other longarms so that I know what they are all about, under his supervision of course. And just to go a little further, he's offered to store my rifle if I still have issues with safe installation, so long as I let L&RD know that it's being stored there.
I'll be spending a lot of time with him over the next 6-12 months, so I'm hoping to learn lots, that I can put into practice on the range.

[AlanK]

3-4 days a week practice when the kids are at school???

That's commitment!

[jennageit]

3-4 days a week practice when the kids are at school???

That's commitment!

What can I say? I'm addicted.

I want to get as good as I possibly can, and if that means going to the range and getting trigger time, that's what I'll do.
I'm hoping to get my back sorted out soon, get my fitness back up and go hunting. That's the plan!

[Tiiger]

I want to get as good as I possibly can, and if that means going to the range and getting trigger time, that's what I'll do.
I'm hoping to get my back sorted out soon, get my fitness back up and go hunting. That's the plan!

Shooting is definitely a perishable skill.

Gotta keep up the practice to stay good and improve.

[jennageit]

I want to get as good as I possibly can, and if that means going to the range and getting trigger time, that's what I'll do.
I'm hoping to get my back sorted out soon, get my fitness back up and go hunting. That's the plan!

Shooting is definitely a perishable skill.

Gotta keep up the practice to stay good and improve.

So true.

I had six weeks off and went from shooting 198.7/200 down to 184/200. Fortunately I am now redeeming myself lol

I'm hoping to get my hubby involved too, but the TRV membership is $250 each, which is a bit prohibitive at the moment.

Bring on late January, and I get some of my freedom back, so can go shoot whenever the RO is available!